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Boston Red Sox's Shane Victorino (18) reacts as he is hit by a pitch in the ninth inning as Tampa Bay Rays' catcher Jose Molina tries to get the ball in Game 4 of baseball's American League division series, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2013, in St. Petersburg, Fla. Boston won the game 3-1.(AP Photo/John Raoux)

DETROIT — Shane Victorino understood that Justin Verlander was asked a question in a press conference specifically about him. Victorino understood too that the Tigers' Game 3 pitcher didn't harp on the subject Monday.

He just wished Verlander hadn't said, "I've seen some pitches that he (Victorino) got hit on that were strikes."

Victorino has MLB's record for hit-by-pitches in a single postseason, with five already. Max Scherzer was the latest to get him, in Game 2.

Verlander was asked Monday about how to pitch inside to Victorino and said:

"I've seen some pitches that he got hit on that were strikes," Verlander said Monday afternoon. "So I mean, I don't think you can worry about that. I think just whoever is the home plate umpire needs to be aware he's up there. Anything on the inner half, occasionally he's looking to get hit. He's up there, he's right on top of the plate. And his arms are over the batter's box and over part of the plate. If he doesn't get out of the way, there could be an occasion that it could be a strike and it actually hits him."

Victorino said later in the day that umpires have already talked to him.

"It's not like the umpires don't know that I'm close to the plate," Victorino said when asked about Verlander's comments. "But you know, I'm not going to alter my approach and nor do I expect a pitcher to change theirs. Other than the fact, the only part that disappoints me in that quote, he thinks I'm getting hit by strikes. To me that's — that to me is what disappoints me more than anything.

"If he can prove to me and show me which one he thought was a strike that was a legitimate strike that I got hit on, then — but as I said, I'm not mad. Hey, it is what it is. It's your opinion. For me, I understand you're executing your pitches, I'm going to try to execute what I'm trying to do at the plate. Trust me, I don't want to jump in front of a 95 mph fastball. That's not what I'm trying to do."